"I think it's important to visit the gardens just because a lot of people don't know about them, you know. They're little gems tucked away in different corners of the city, and it's just kind of neat to be able to enjoy a day on a bike and explore the city," Omaha Bicycle Co. owner Sarah Johnson said.

Roxanne Williams Draper, director of the City Sprouts program, said cycling isn't much different than what they do in the garden.

"That ties in very closely with community gardens," Draper said. "There are a lot of health benefits to community garden(s), in addition to the physical activity... What bicycling does too is get you outside, get you to build community, know your neighbors and enjoy a great day outside."

Despite changes to the event this year, many people turned out to ride.

"Definitely grateful for the turnout this year, because this is the first year where there hasn't been any type of city involvement, it's all just been volunteers who wanted to see the program continue," Johnson said.

Not only is there growth in the gardens, cycling itself seems to be growing more popular in Omaha.

"It's a growing community," cyclist Wally Thoreson said. "You see a lot more cyclists than you did a few years ago. It was sort of a lonely affair a few years ago, getting out and cycling and now you see lots of people, lots of ages riding."